Daytona Beach Bike Week features full slate of two-wheeled fun

March 07, 2013

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- On
Jan. 24, 1937, the first running of the Daytona 200 took place on the hard sand
of Daytona Beach, Fla. Since that race, won by AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ed
Kretz of Monterey Park, Calif., the annual event has grown into a motorcycling
mecca, packed full of racing and recreational riding events.

This year, AMA-sanctioned events will be among the most popular Bike Week
attractions, from amateur dirt-track racing to an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
celebration to AMA Supercross on the infield of Daytona International Speedway.

"Daytona Beach in early March is all things motorcycling," said AMA
Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. "If it happens on motorcycles,
it happens at Daytona Beach. I personally can't wait for the unofficial start
of riding season to kick off at what many consider the biggest motorcycling
week of the year."

Motorcycling's history will take center stage on March 15 at the Yamaha AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented by Motul. The annual
fundraising event for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) non-profit,
will be held at the Daytona 200 Club on the infield of Daytona International
Speedway. This year, it will shine a spotlight on the Hall of Fame career of
Scott Russell. Russell, who will be interviewed by noted race announcer Ben
Cheatwood, will discuss his amazing five Daytona 200 wins as well as his
championship-winning AMA and World Superbike career. Buy tickets and learn more
at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

One of the biggest rounds of the AMA Supercross Championship goes down March 9
at the Daytona Supercross by Honda, the 10th round of the series. Located on
the infield of the hallowed grounds of Daytona International Speedway, the
course features a varied layout with extended high-speed sections, massive
jumps and a sand/dirt mix. Fans will be packed several deep along the fences to
watch Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Davi Millsaps, James Stewart and more race
for glory as the 2013 winner of the Daytona Supercross by Honda. More info is
at www.amasupercross.com.

Amateur competitors will get a shot at the Supercross course the following two
days, March 10-11, at the Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross.
Sanctioned by the AMA, and in partnership with MX Sports, the fourth annual
event features two days of amateur racing at the same track that will showcase
the best AMA Supercross racers in the world. Sign up to race at www.mxsports.com.

Off-road racers will get to experience their own history at the Alligator
Enduro on March 14 in Favoretta, Fla. The Alligator Enduro has been thrilling
both racers and fans for 63 years. Although the race isn't always on the AMA
National Enduro Championship Series calendar, it always draws a large contingent
of pro riders -- as well as weekend warriors who want to line up at the
historic event. Find out more at www.daytonadirtriders.com.

Amateur dirt track kicks off just north of Daytona Beach in Savannah, Ga.,
which features an AMA All-Star dirt track on Oglethorpe Speedway's half-mile on
March 8 and an AMA Holeshot event and vintage national classes on March 9. On
March 10-12, racing moves to Barberville, Fla., while March 10 will also
feature an amateur short-track event on the Daytona Flat Track. The March 11-12
events will feature both AMA Holeshot points and racing in AMA vintage national
classes. To contact the AMA about these events, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com/racing
or call (614) 856-1900.

Amateur roadracing will also roll through Savannah, Ga., on March 9-10. The
first round of the American Sportbike Racing Association's AMA Featured Series
will take place at Roebling Road Raceway. The ASRA Championship Series (www.asraracing.com) includes
both amateur and expert competition in Thunderbike, SportBike and SuperStock
classes.

Of course, Bike Week is not just about racing. Road riders make up the largest
contingent at the annual rally. One place they'll certainly congregate is at
the Alligator Road Tour on March 13. This AMA-sanctioned ride is put on by the
Daytona 200 M/C. The club, founded in 1943, is one of the oldest and most
active in the state, and the ride features 150-200 miles of beautiful country
roads, as well as a mystery destination for lunch. Registration is from 9:30
a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Daytona 200 Motorcycle Club. More info is available at www.daytona200mc.com.

For a dirtier time on two wheels, there's the Cross-Florida Adventure Ride.
This ride is part of the AMA Husqvarna National Dual Sport Series and the AMA
Yamaha Super Ténéré Adventure Riding Series. The March 16-17 ride features some
of the best back roads and optional trail sections crossing the peninsula. Find
out more at www.dixiedualsport.com.

Another highlight for road riders is the Annual Iron Butt Association Party in
Jacksonville, Fla. The event, March 13-14, also features the Battlefield 1000,
an endurance road ride around Georgia and Florida. See www.ironbutt.com/daytona/
for more info.

Finally, the ever-popular March 16 Community Appreciation Parade, sponsored by
the Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce, will stage at the south parking lot of
the Ocean Center beginning at 7 a.m. The parade is expected to feature hundreds
of bikes as it rides from the Ocean Center to Daytona International Speedway.

For more on the Community Appreciation Parade, as well as a comprehensive list
of all the two-wheeled excitement packed into Daytona Beach Bike Week, check
out the official Bike Week calendar at www.daytonachamber.com.

About the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation

Founded in 1990 by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, the goal of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. Located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, the Hall of Fame's three major exhibition halls feature the machines and memorabilia of those who have contributed notably to the sport. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering. More information can be found at MotorcycleMuseum.org.